Recounting my year in Uganda

Geoffrey

1.    I am so thankful for the encouragement & support from friends and family back home! Thank you so much for the emails, pictures, cards, and care packages!

It says "Attention Beaware of Hot Dog

Eseza and Viola

2.     I am so thankful for each one of the kids at GSF (MKs and GSF kids). They are so very special to me and I can honestly say, I really love each one of them!  I’m going to really miss them all. The hardest part of ending this year was leaving these kids.

Some of the toddlers

3.     I am so thankful for the GSF missionaries. I thank them for inviting me to meals, for throwing me a surprise birthday party, for calling me when spotting a hyrax (my dream!), for helping me catch rats and bats in my house, for driving me places, for being my friend, and for their servant’s heart and ministry here in Uganda, at GSF.

Nurse Ruth & I

Some of our girls

4.     I am so thankful for each one of the GSF Ugandan staff here.  I thank them for being my nursing partner, for killing snakes and rats in my house, for teaching me Luganda, for scratching my back (I kept scratching my back during service and one of the aunties decided to scratch it for me…random, but nice), for teaching me how to cook certain things, for giving me treats and trying to feed me, for teaching me how to drive in Uganda, and so much more!

Pius, Paul, & Niko

5.     I am so thankful to be surrounded by God’s beautiful creation here in Uganda. Pictures don’t do justice

6.     I am so thankful for those days when I am so discouraged yet God provides me with pockets of grace through people here at GSF.

Like the kids teasing me and saying my name with a lisp (even though I don’t think they know what a lisp is). A boy telling me, “Nurse Kim, it’s snowing!” (even though it was just fog). One of them scaring me for no reason. One of them showing me how the farmers hang dead monkeys on the trees to use as a scarecrow. Ones that randomly run up to me and hug me.  Ones that randomly pray for me, “apart, together, Father God, we thank you for Nurse Kim.” Those moments are such a blessing to me.

Missionaries from GSF, sadly missing Tom & Sharon Batley

Caralina and Kenny

7.     I am thankful for some signs that I’ve seen. They just crack me up. (I know, I know, I’m a bit immature!). Signs like "How's your love life?""Attention, Beaware of hot dog" 

8.     I am so thankful I was given the opportunity to teach Sunday School. I seriously loved my Sunday School class and man, it was such a learning experience. I am thankful for their grace.

9.     I am so thankful for the opportunities I was able to take little breaks—whether to visit other ministries or to travel. They were much needed.

10. I am so thankful for the opportunity to work at a government hospital here. It was heartbreaking and frustrating, but such a sanctifying and good experience.

11. I am so thankful for all the people I’ve met throughout this missions process/year. I am glad I had opportunities to meet so many people from all over the world! It’s really cool hearing people’s stories and seeing what God’s doing in their life.

older MK girls

12.  I am so thankful that I was here during an Ebola outbreak (even though we were FAR FAR away from the outbreak!).  It gave me a new perspective.

13. I am so thankful for seeing the need of solid teaching and discipleship here in Uganda. It’s MUCH needed. I am thankful for those who are doing that here. 

  

Supposedly Studying

Some of the older kids

14.  I am thankful for the opportunity to be a nurse here. It was crazy at times, challenging, discouraging, and tiring but also a joy and a blessing.. P.S. GET YOUR MMR!

15. I am so thankful that I was able to experience a lot of “firsts” with some of the kids. Like ice cream, cold water, elevator rides, KFC (yup, they have KFC here now!), boda rides, bubbles, balloons, etc!

16. I am so thankful to witness some changes in some of the children’s lives.
From looking a bit more healthier and chubbier to hearts softening and attitudes changing.


17. I am so thankful that being at GSF has given me a clearer picture

of orphans, adoption, and the Gospel.